Sessional_Paper_1930 — Page 101

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I should like to take this opportunity of acknowledging and thanking the Shipping Sub-Committee in particular, and the Emergency Committee in general, for their kind and valuable assistance.

Appendix "E."

Mr. S. T. Williamson said :-The Control of imported water was authorised by His Excellency the Governor on the 1st July and the Control Office was opened in the Post Office Building on that date, up to that time Mr. Rouse and Mr. Graver had been direct- ing the water to destinations as required. These Officers are still doing very valuable work and it has also been necessary to engage extra assistance with a view of getting together an organisation capable of handling anything that may be required.

We have up to the present been concentrating on building up a lighterage, towage and pumping service which is necessary to be able to handle the amounts of water now coming forward in order to minimise the possibility of delay to vessels carry- ing water to this port from outside sources whose owners have been good enough to carry the water freight free.

During last week we landed 13,700 tons which amounts to 3.07 million gallons and from what I can see there will be no difficulty in increasing these amounts very con- siderably.

We have chartered Waterboats, Lighters and the tug 'Perla'; the total deadweight carrying capacity is at present 5,345 tons.

We have gathered much useful information from the working of the "Fu Kwang" which will be of great assistance in the development of the Wangmoon or other West River sources of supply. At the present time this vessel is engaged on transporting a trial cargo from near Whampoa. Captain Thomas has already drawn samples from this area and the analysis was quite favourable. The advantage is that we can work coastal vessels or tankers with a draught of 17 to 18 feet which mean a decided difference in cost of transportation and also greater regularity of supplies during uncertain weather condi-

tions.

We have under consideration several vessels which are likely to fulfil requirements in this direction.

It seems that the supplies from outside sources could be eased slightly at the pre- sent time and the local sources of supply especially Tsun Wan and Sham Cheng could be developed in order to minimise wastage of water which is much cheaper than the water we are importing from other sources.

I am of opinion that a suitable steamer service can be arranged at short notice when the water can be dealt with more quickly on the Island.